This course fulfills requirements for the following specialization(s):

Technology, Innovation, and Information Policy

Natural Resources and the Environment

International Energy, Environment, and Technology

Description: This course will cover current and projected carbon-based resource demand, dependency. Including issues affecting the use of carbon-based fuels and technology such as: (1)Resource supply – quantity and access; (2) National security; (3)Economics; (4)Environment; and (5)Availability and affordability of alternative technologies.

Other issues include: (1) Energy-related priorities driving change to alternatives. Which include environmental issues such as global warming/greenhouse gas emission mitigation and adaptation. Others such as air quality, landscape impacts, and water quality. (2) National security and economy. (3) Renewable vs nonrenewable resource dependency. (4)Related resource issues – materials and water use.

We will explore carbon fuel supply factors in 21st century energy choices, energy technology and related factors, and other related technologies for the 21st century. Then we will look at transporation the most challenging sector for reducing dominant role of carbon fuels.

We will examine policies and legislation that guide or control energy use and technologies using Texas as a case study.

Course Structure: The material in the course outline will be covered by instructor lectures, readings, and presentations by experts in specific areas of interest.

Near the beginning of the course each student will select one area of carbon-energy-related policy or legislation development at the state, national, or international level and track events in that area. There will be brief student reports on these during the portion of the course that deals with policy and legislation.

There will be a mid-term brief-essay type exam, but no final exam. Approximately one third of the way into the course the class will discuss and determine the type of term project students will undertake. This will include the subjects to be considered, the form of reporting (oral or written), and the target audience for the product of the research.